Heath plant named Happy

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of heath plant named Erica persoluta `Happy`, a seedling on unknown pollen and seed parentage, discovered in a field of Erica persoluta, which is distinguished from Erica persoluta and other varieties known to me by its early flowering habit, dense and compact appearance, natural short growth habit, orchid colored blooms that cover the plume from the base of the stem all the way to the tip of the plant, and its tight, narrow and erect plumes spike-like flower clusters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct plant variety of the Ericaceae family which has been named Erica persoluta `Happy` by the assignee of the invention. This new heather variety was discovered by the inventory as a seedling of unknown pollen and seed parentage growing in a cultivated field of Erica persoluta. The new variety was noticed because of its early flowering habit, dense and compact appearance, natural short growth habit, orchid colored blooms which bloom to the tip of the plant, and its tight, narrow and erect spike-like flower clusters.

The new variety is desirable for potted plant culture because of it natural compact, dwarfish growth habit which requires minimal pruning to achieve the abundant branching and full, dense appearance desired.

The distinguishing characteristics of my new variety which differentiate it from Erica persoluta and other varieties known to me are:

1. early bloom time of October through mid January,

2. short, dense, compact growth habit,

3. natural abundant branching with minimal pruning,

4. orchid colored blooms which bloom to the tip of the plant, and,

5. tight, narrow and erect spike-like flower clusters.

The distingushing characteristics of my new variety which differentiate it from Erica persoluta, `Heidi` and `Rosemarie` are bloom time and color blooms.

    ______________________________________                                                                           ERICA                                        `HAPPY`     `HEIDI`  `ROSEMARIE`  PERSOLUTA                                    ______________________________________                                         Bloom Oct.-     Mid Dec.-                                                                               Dec.-Feb.  March                                      Season                                                                               Mid Jan.  Mid Feb.                                                       Bloom 78C-78D   71C-71D  66D        70A-70B                                    Color                                                                          ______________________________________                                    

Since the inventor's discovery of the new plant, the assignee, under the direction and control of the inventor at Half Moon Bay, has asexually reproduced the new cultivar through successive generations by means of cuttings and has found that its following characteristics remain true from generation to generation and appear to be firmly fixed: early bloom time; shorter, dense, compact growth habit; natural abundant branching which requires minimal pruning; orchid colored blooms which bloom to the tip of the plant; and tight, thin and erect spike-like flower clusters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a color photograph of a potted plant of the new variety illustrating the overall appearance and form of the plant, including: abundant branching; short height; dense compact appearance; tight, narrow and erect plumes; and blooms all the way to the tip of the plant.

FIG. 2 is a close up view of the plumes of the new variety illustrating the abundance of blooms on the plumes and blooms all the way to the tip of the plant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The following is a detailed description of the new variety with color designations according to the R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society of London, England. The following description is based on observations of well fertilized 4" potted plants of 12 to 16 months of age from initial propagation which were grown outside under saran in a commercial nursery at Half Moon Bay, Calif., where temperatures average from 55 to 65 degrees F. during the summer months, and 45 to 55 degrees F. during the winter months.

Color designation and other values stated may deviate slightly from the slated values from flowering to flowering, but the deviations will be within the range expected from varying environmental, seasonal, and cultural conditions.

The Plant

Origin: Seedling.

Parentage:

Seed parent.--Unknown.

Pollen parent.--Unknown.

Classification:

Botanic.--Erica persoluta `Happy`.

Commercial.--`Happy`.

Form: Perennial, compact, woody shrub.

Shape: Upright, stems curving slightly to accomodate fullness of plant.

Height: Mean 12" to 18".

Girth: Mean 8" to 10".

Branching: Ample, needs minimal pruning.

Growth: naturally compact with woody flexible strength.

Foliage: Abundant, with tiny needle-like leaves over the entire plant.

Size of leaf.--Mean 1/8" long.

Shape of leaf.--Acerose like.

Character.--Sulcate.

Color.--R.H.S. 144 A.

Texture.--Smooth.

Hardiness: Can tolerate a temperature range of 28 to 100 degrees F.

Disease resistance: Considerable resistance to fungus type diseases. Common diseases include phythium and phytoplhora.

Seed production: Sparce; commercially produced asexually by cuttings.

Effects of weather: Prolonged exposure to hot weather is detrimental to plant appearance. Extended periods of hot, sunny, dry weather will accelerate blooming and cause blooms to decline more quickly, shortening its lasting quality.

In general, the foliage is too tiny to determine further characteristics by plant observation.

The Bud

Size:

Length.--1/8" and less.

Diameter.--1/10"and less.

Rate of opening: progressive and continuous to the tip of the stem.

Petals: Corolline flowers in which the sepals are relatively insignificant.

Color: R.H.S. 78 B to 78 D.

Inflorescence

Blooming habit: Annually, can range from early October through mid January depending upon seasonal weather conditions.

Size of bloom: 1/8" by 1/10".

Borne: Spike like clusters with terminal flowers.

Shape: Urceolate.

Appearance: Satiny.

Color: R.H.S. 78 B to 78 C in overall appearance of the plant.

Flower stem:

Length.--Mean 1/4" to 3".

Color.--R.H.S. 177D.

Strength.--Woody and supple.

Discoloration: Does not fade.

Effects of weather: Prolonged exposure to hot weather is detrimental to plant appearance. Extended periods of hot, dry, sunny weather will accelerate blooming and cause blooms to fade and decline more quickly, shortening its lasting quality.

Persistence: Blooms persists long after the stem ceases to draw water. Blooms do not shed easily.

Fragrance: Slight.

Lasting quality:

On plant.--6 to 8 weeks.

As a cut flower.--2 weeks.

The outstanding characteristics of this new plant resides in its early blooming from October through mid January, whereas Erica persoluta does not begin to bloom until March. Its natural short, compact growth habit makes it suitable for pot plant culture, whereas Erica persoluta is of the cut flower variety and is taller.

    ______________________________________                                                          `ROSE-   `ERICA    NEW                                        PLANT  `HEIDI`   MARIE`   PERSOLUTA`                                                                               CULTIVAR                                   ______________________________________                                         Height a 4" pot  Same     a 4" pot will be                                                                         a 4" pot will be                                  will be 8"         10" to 12" high                                                                          13" to 15" high                                   or 9" high         in 18 mons.                                                                              in 16 mons.                                       in 18 mons.        growing time                                                                             growing time                                      growing            with numerous                                                                            with minimal                                      time with          pruning   pruning                                           little or no                                                                   pruning                                                                 Form   short, dense                                                                             Same     Same      Same                                              appearing,                                                                     compact                                                                        woody                                                                          shrub                                                                   Shape  Upright,  Same     Upright, stems                                                                           Upright,                                          stems              spreading to                                                                             stems curving                                     curving            produce fullness                                                                         slightly to                                       slightly to        of plant  accommodate                                       accomodate                   fullness of                                       fullness of                  plant                                             plant                                                                   Branch-                                                                               naturally Same     generous, ample,                                     ing    generous,          several   minimal (1-2)                                     minimal or         prunings  prunings                                          no pruning         necessary (4-5)                                                                          necessary to                                      needed             to encourage                                                                             encourage                                                            branching branching                                  Growth upright but                                                                              Same     Same      Same                                              naturally                                                                      short and                                                                      branching                                                                      with                                                                           woody,                                                                         flexible                                                                       strength                                                                Blooming                                                                              annual, mid                                                                              annual,  annual, early                                                                            annual, early                              Season:                                                                               Jan. to mid                                                                              Dec.-    March through                                                                            Oct. through                                      Feb.      Feb.     late March                                                                               mid Jan.                                   Foliage                                                                        Color  R.H.S.    R.H.S.   R.H.S. 143A                                                                              R.H.S. 144A                                       143A      144A     with 59A                                                                       streaking                                                                      through the                                                                    leaves                                               Size   1/8"      Same     Same      Same                                       Shape  spike-like,                                                                              Same     Same      Same                                              with stiff,                                                                    erect stems;                                                                   Acerose                                                                 Quantity                                                                              Abundant  Same     Same      Same                                       Bloom                                                                          Size   1/8" × 1/16"                                                                       Same     3/16" × 1/16"                                                                      1/8" × 1/10"                         Borne  in clusters                                                                              Same     Same      Same                                              with                                                                           terminal                                                                       buds                                                                    Shape  Urceolate Same     Ovoid     Urceolate                                  Color  R.H.S.    R.H.S.   R.H.S. 70A-70B                                                                           BR.H.S.                                           71C-71D   66D                78B-78C                                    Rate of                                                                               rapid,    Same     Same      Same                                       opening:                                                                              progressive                                                                    and                                                                            continuous                                                                     beginning                                                                      at the base                                                                    of the stem                                                                    and                                                                            progressing                                                                    to the tip                                                                     of the stem                                                             ______________________________________                                     

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct hybrid plant variety of the Heath family substantially as herein shown and described. 